Its ability to retain water means it is found in many skin moisturizing cosmetics. and its solubility in water also explains its use in antifreeze. When water and propylene glycol mix, the freezing point of the water drops and helps remove ice from your car`s windshield. Due to propylene glycol`s relative safety, it is regularly used as a much more toxic substitute for ethylene glycol to produce environmentally friendly de-icing agents. This seemingly minor change in ingredients can significantly reduce the health risks that antifreeze can cause to pets and other animals attracted by its sweet taste. The same properties that make propylene glycol a useful additive for the food industry make it a good candidate for many of these other applications. The properties that help it transport aromatic molecules also make it effective in molding pharmaceutical compounds suitable for intravenous or oral consumption. And its use in flavorings also explains its presence in e-cigarette liquids – although the safety of using propylene glycol for this purpose is hotly debated. Propylene glycol can be used as a more environmentally friendly substitute for ethylene glycol, commonly known as antifreeze. Am I the only one who does not know that we drink antifreeze on Thursday nights? In October 2015, the Federal Office of Chemicals (FOC) submitted a proposal for a new toxicological classification of propylene glycol (PG) to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) on behalf of the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (FIOSH). In a statement on Monday, a Finnish alcohol monopoly said Fireball whiskey was produced according to North American standards and therefore did not meet European regulations on proper propylene glycol content. However, propylene glycol and other additives derived from it are still found in many foods and beverages widely used in Europe.
In fact, in the year leading up to the Fireball incident, 730,000 tonnes of chemicals were produced across the continent, about a third of which were used in food production. In addition to foods such as ice cream, cake mixes, and salad dressings, propylene glycol is also used in drug formulations, e-cigarette oils, cosmetics, and of course, antifreeze. Whisky sipers and partygoers, listen. On the street, Fireball whiskey is said to have been taken off the shelves in Finland, Norway and Sweden due to too high levels of propylene glycol. Sounds scary, right? Read on. In Europe, propylene glycol used in pharmaceutical applications must follow strict quality specifications set out in the European Pharmacopoeia. The 8th edition of this official document of the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines (EDQM) was published in 2013 and is used in more than 37 European countries. Propylene glycol or propane-1,2-diol, to give it the name IUPAC, is a small synthetic organic compound composed of three carbon atoms, some hydrogens and two hydroxyl groups. At room temperature, it is a syrupy, colorless liquid with a slightly sweet taste. It mixes easily with a wide range of solvents and is particularly effective at retaining water. These properties, along with its relatively low toxicity, make propylene glycol a convenient additive for the food industry, where it is used as an emulsifier and preservative, helping to provide colors and flavors and allowing food products to retain their texture.
According to Circular No. 08/2015/TT-BYT changing the maximum levels of food additives, propylene glycol can be used in GMP level biscuits in Vietnam. Surprisingly, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has classified propylene glycol as generally safe for consumption. It is used in a variety of pharmaceuticals and more recently in e-cigs. You can also find it in a number of foods, including sodas, ice cream, icing (uh-oh Betty Crocker, what did you do?), fresh whisk, some brands of coffee (dunkin fritters), pop pies, and margarine. Crude. According to the Code of Federal Regulations, propylene glycol is among certain substances confirmed as GRAS in Part 184. Therefore, it is allowed to be used in cookies. Since October 2010, propylene glycol has been an authorised feed material under Regulation (EC) No 767/2009.
It is included in the catalogue of authorised feed materials (Regulation (EU) No 68/2013) and in the EU Register of feed materials. Propylene glycol used in food applications must meet the specifications of the United States Food Chemicals Codex. The calorie content of propylene glycol is 4 cal/g as defined by the FDA in 21 CFR § 101.9(c)(1)(i)(B). In October 2015, the Federal Chemicals Office (FOC) submitted a proposal for a new toxicological classification of propylene glycol (PG) to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The „effects of such a classification could be devastating for vapers,“ according to chemist Mirosław Dworniczak. The U.S. FDA has confirmed that propylene glycol is generally recognized as safe when used (GRAS): In rare cases, propylene glycol can cause an allergic reaction, while taking very large amounts can lead to kidney failure and central nervous system depression. However, this form of propylene glycol poisoning is more often associated with unreasonably high doses, delivered directly into the bloodstream during medical treatments. In 1994, the Cosmetics Industry Safety Panel (CTFA, Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association, now known as the Personal Care Products Council) confirmed that propylene glycol could be used safely in cosmetics and at higher concentrations than those actually used in consumer products. In Europe, Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products operates on the principle of a „negative list“, which defines substances whose use in cosmetics is prohibited or restricted. Propylene glycol is not on this list. Perhaps someone should direct them to this article, which states, among other things: „The results of these experiments, combined with the absence of adverse effects observed in patients exposed to both triethylene glycol and propylene glycol vapors for months, give assurance that the air containing these vapors in amounts up to the saturation point is completely harmless.“ In the United States, propylene glycol is regulated by the U.S.
Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and must meet the specifications for pharmaceutical materials set forth in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia. Chapter 7 of the US Pharmaceopeia/National Formulary (USP/NF) sets certain limits for residual solvents present as impurities in drug substances, excipients and products. The safety of propylene glycol has been evaluated and confirmed by international and national authorities.
